^8 HINDOOSTAN. 



teem milk the purest of foods, because they think it partakes of some 

 of the properties of the nectar of their gods, and because they esteem 

 the cow itself almost like a divinity. 



Their manners are gentle ; their happiness consists in the solaces 

 of a domestic life ; and they are taught by their religion, that matri- 

 mony is an indispensable duty in every man, who does not entirely se- 

 parate himself from the world from a principle of devotion. Their 

 religion also permits them to have several wives; but they seldom 

 have more than one ; and it has been observed, that their wives are 

 distinguished by a decency of demeanour, a solicitude in their families, 

 and a fidelity to their vows, which might do honour to human nature 

 in the most civilized countries. The amusements of the Hindoos 

 consist in going to their pagodas, in assisting at religious shows, 

 and in fulfilling a variety of ceremonies prescribed to them by the 

 Brahmins. Their religion forbids them to quit their own shores ;* 

 nor do they want any thing from abroad. They might, therefore, have 

 lived in much tranquillity and happiness, if others had looked on them 

 with the same indifference with which they regard the rest of the 

 world. 



The soldiers are commonly called rajah poots, or persons descend- 

 ed from rajahs, and reside chiefly in the northern provinces, and are 

 generally more fair complexioned than the people of the southern 

 provinces, who are quite black. These rajah poots are a robust, brave, 

 faithful people, and enter into the service of those who will pay theme 

 but when their leader falls in battle, they think that their engage- 

 ments to him are finished, and they run off the field without any 

 stain upon their reputation. 



The custom of the women burning themselves upon the death of 

 their husbands still continues to be practised, though much less fre- 

 quently than formerly. The Gentoos are as careful of the cultivation 

 of their lands, and their public works and conveniences, as the Chi- 

 nese : and there scarcely is an instance of a robbery in all Hindoostan, 

 though the diamond merchants travel without defensive weapons. 



The complexion of the Gentoos is black, their hair is long, their 

 persons are straight and elegant, their limbs finely proportioned, their 

 fingers long and taper, their countenances open and pleasant, and 

 their features exhibit the most delicate lines of beauty in the females, 

 and in the males a kind of manly softness. 



Their walk and gait, as well as their whole deportment, is in the 

 highest degree graceful. The dress of the men is a kind of a close- 

 bodied gown and wide trowsers, resembling petticoats, reaching down 

 to their slippers. Such of the women as appear in public, have shawls 

 over their heads and shoulders, short close jackets, and tight drawers 

 which come down to their ancles. Hence the dress of the men gives 

 them in the eyes of Europeans, an appearance of effeminacy, while 

 that of the women seems rather masculine. 



Their houses cover much ground, and have spacious galleries and 

 accommodations of various kinds. The apartments are small, and the 



* The Gentoos are persuaded, that the waters of the three great rivers, Ganges, 

 Kistna, and Indus, have the sacred virtue of purifying those who bathe in them 

 from all pollutions and sins. This religious idea seems to be founded on a prin- 

 ciple of policy, and intended to restrain the natives from migrating into distant 

 countries ; for it is remarkable, that the sacred rivers are so situated, that there 

 is is not any part of India where the inhabitants may not have an opportunity of 

 washing away their sins. 



